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Girlfriend won't swallow

Dear Alice,

My girlfriend and I have been dating for a year, and I love her very
much. We have a mutually fulfilling sexual relationship, and we
communicate well. Recently, I told her of my fantasy of her performing
oral sex on me and swallowing my sperm. She said that would be "gross,"
and has never brought me to climax during oral sex because she does not
want me to come in her mouth. I perform oral sex for her, and I enjoy
having her sexual fluids on my face and tasting them. We have discussed
sexual fantasies before and have pleased each other very much. But she
will still not accept my sperm in her mouth, and I feel like she does not
want to accept a part of me into her body -- that she does not have the
fullest desire to please me. When I first asked her to do it, I expected
her to want to pleasure me, to have desire for my penis. Now, I feel like
she thinks my body is not desirable. My question is: what must I do or
say to make her change her mind, to make her understand how much I wish
she'd do this?

Signed,
B.J.

Dear B.J.,

Perhaps you could look at your experience in two ways: your girlfriend could agree to go down on you, and you can agree not to ejaculate in her mouth; or, if she already goes down on you, accept that this may be enough for her right now.

There are probably many reasons why your girlfriend chooses not to swallow your semen. Some people worry about possibly not liking the taste and/or texture. You could ejaculate, and both of you could do a taste test. Others worry about gagging and vomiting, or getting sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Ask her about these thoughts with an "I want to learn" attitude. Similarly, you may think about gently expressing to her not just what you want, but what it means to you. Communicating in this manner will not guarantee a change in her behavior and needs to be done without that expectation; however, it could foster greater understanding, and even intimacy, in your relationship.

In the meantime, you could focus on all the ways your girlfriend shows you that she cares for, accepts, and loves you, rather than on what you are not getting from her. You have probably noticed that the more pressure you place on her (or anyone), the more she will run away from what you would like her to do. Be aware of, and respect, her wants and needs, while still acknowledging your own. Similarly, when you go down on her, do it because you want to, not as a proof of your love, or as a trade-off, or investment, in what she might do for you in return in the future.

"Accepting your sperm in her mouth" is not a test of love. It is a sexual behavior that your partner does not choose to do at this time. This does not mean that she does not care for you, nor does it reflect her desire to give you pleasure.

For additional information, or another perspective, see archived Go Ask Alice! questions such as: Girlfriend gags during oral sex. Oral sex, either on the receiving or giving end, and regardless of the type, strength, or length of the relationship, is perfectly pleasurable for some, an acquired taste for others, and for a certain group, a "no way, no how, not ever" proposition. This has to do with their comfort and choices, and is not about you. Alice is also certain that you know how crucial it is not to force anyone to do something that s/he does not want to do. Try thinking about the expression, "You cannot change another. You can only change yourself." So, you can change your approach, your communication style, or your expectation, and at some point, you may be surprised.